Author: Rutvik Alpeshbhai Vaghasiya
Vaghasiya, Rutvik Alpeshbhai, 2024 EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON COMPARISON OF CLAY SOIL REINFORCEMENT MATERIALS STABILIZATION BY USING WASTE PLASTIC STRIPS., Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering
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The investigation of several novel materials is a result of the growing demand for long-term and economical soil stabilisation techniques. This study examines the feasibility of utilising discarded plastic strips as a reinforcing material to enhance the stability of clay soils. Due to the environmental and economic difficulties linked to conventional soil stabilisation methods, such as the utilisation of cement and lime, the inclusion of waste materials like plastic strips presents a hopeful alternative. The main objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of waste plastic strips in improving the geotechnical characteristics of clay soils in comparison to conventional approaches. This study involved reinforcing clay soil samples with waste plastic strips obtained from discarded plastic bottles to conduct an experimental examination. The strips were precisely cut to certain dimensions to maximise their reinforcing impact. Laboratory experiments were performed to assess the physical and mechanical characteristics of the treated soil, including as unconfined compressive strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and shear strength. The findings were compared to those of untreated clay soil and clay soil that had been stabilised using traditional additions. The results show that soils made of clay and reinforced with plastic strips are high stronger and endure much longer. Improved load-bearing capability was shown by a 30% increase in the UCS of the stabilised soil samples as compared to the untreated samples. There was a considerable improvement in the CBR values as well, which is indicative of improved performance when subjected to vehicle loads. According to shear strength tests, the soil's resistance to shear stress was significantly enhanced by adding plastic strips, making it less prone to deformation and failure. In addition, an evaluation was conducted to determine the environmental consequences of using discarded plastic strips. Utilising plastic trash not only reduces the amount of non-biodegradable garbage in landfills but also promotes a circular economy by recycling waste resources. This strategy is in line with international sustainability objectives and provides a pragmatic answer for the management of plastic trash. The economic study provides additional evidence for the viability of this approach. The expense associated with gathering and treating plastic trash to produce useable strips is far less than that of conventional stabilisers. Furthermore, the enduring advantages, such as decreased upkeep expenses and prolonged lifespan of infrastructure, render it a financially feasible choice for extensive applications. Ultimately, this study shows the efficacy of utilising waste plastic strips to improve the geotechnical characteristics of clay soils. This approach provides a sustainable and economically viable alternative to conventional stabilisation techniques. The notable enhancements in strength and durability, together with the environmental and economic advantages, underscore the potential of this unique technique in contemporary civil engineering procedures. Additional research and practical experiments are advised to completely ascertain the suitability of this approach in real-life situations.
Keywords: Clay Soil, Plastic Bottle Strips, Soil Reinforcement Stabilization, 1% Plastic Strips, 2% Plastic Strips
Subject: Engineering thesis
Thesis type: Masters
Completed: 2024
School: College of Science and Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Hongyu Qin